Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

ALT “Today, in the passing of Dolores Huerta, our country has lost a giant. My thoughts are with her children and her loved ones during this difficult time.  “In the 1960s, Dolores led one of the most inspiring and powerful labor movements in our country's history. She organized the farmworkers of the Central Valley, many of whom were making as little as 10 cents for a 28-pound basket of grapes, in a national grape strike for higher wages and better working conditions. Despite all odds and the powerful interests against them, they won. Major growers had to sit across the table from the workers that they had underestimated and deliver a fair contract. For decades after the Delano Grape Strike, she continued to organize for the rights of working people, women and immigrants. She continued to fight for the idea that when ordinary people come together, they can change the course of history. While we mourn her devastating loss, we will continue her fight to build a country where every worker…

ALT OCASIO-CORTEZ STATEMENT ON SUSPICIOUS LETTER SENT TO DISTRICT OFFICE IN HUNTS POINT “Today, my Hunts Point District Office received a suspicious letter consistent with those received by dozens of elected officials across the country. I am grateful to local and federal law enforcement who quickly responded to investigate the matter and worked to ensure the safety of my staff. “This string of suspicious mailings started two weeks before a consequential midterm election and is seemingly intended to intimidate public servants and sow further division. “Political violence has no place in our country. It is always unacceptable and we must all refuse to normalize an unsafe and volatile political environment where everyday people are put at risk.”

ALT “Today in Marble Hill, ICE agents fired multiple shots at a man in his vehicle while his 5-year-old child was in the back seat. ICE's already unwelcome presence in our city has been growing more escalatory and dangerous by the day. Today's shooting is a grave development that requires a swift and immediate response to protect the safety of all New Yorkers. First, we must have a full and independent investigation of this incident. "There must also be a full and immediate release of all body camera footage of the incident. In addition, the Target Corporation must stop offering their Bronx properties as private staging sites for ICE, in compliance with requests from New York officials. Target opening up large, active retail parking lots for paramilitary activity is unacceptable and places the entire community at risk. ICE is a rogue, lawless paramilitary and surveillance agency. It does not belong in New York City and it should not exist in the United States of America. Abolish ICE."